Carton structure



Oct, 1941- c. F. RICHARD CARTON STRUCTURE Filed June 21, 1937 INVENTORgh'arles F Richard Geog QW A TORNEY,

Pals--1 FiB- -s j baskets, or the like.

Patented Oct. 7, 1941 urreo STATES PATENT OFFICE CARTON STRUCTURECharles F. Richard, Battle Creek, Mich. Application June 21, 1937,Serial No. 149,375

3 Claims.

ard size such as 16 quart size, 24 pint size, et

cetera. These wooden crates are not only heavy, but are relativelyuneconomical of space, and are costly. The cost of transportation andcost of containers are becoming more and more elements of seriousconsideration, and particularly so when it is recognized that theseexpenses are on the increase and that any extra expense must be added tothe final selling price of the product. In the face of these conditions,the fruit and berry industries have continued to use jwooden crates, duein part at least to the fact that heretofore no one has produced a paperor fiber container which would satisfactorily handle fruits, vegetables,and berries in standard quantities suchas 16 one-quart baskets, 24one-pint The present invention has been devised to overcome thisdifiiculty, answer the long felt want of such a container, andprofreplace the wooden crates of the type now em- "ployed for' thetransportation and storage of vegetables, fruits, berries, and the like.

Another object is to provide a paper or fiber board container that maybe shipped in collapsed 7 form to the point of use.

Another object is to provide an improved receptacle formed from sheetmaterial and so constructed that the stacking of such receptacles isfacilitated and the danger of collapse is mini- Another object is toprovide means whereby the contents of the container may be readilyinspected.

A further object is to provide a receptacle or crate provided withventilation openings to permit the circulation of air through thereceptacle to minimize the mildewing or spoilage therein of perishablefoods such as berries, or the like.

A further object is to provide a receptacle or crate formed from afibrous material, the surface at least of which is moisture resisting.

A further object is the provision of a receptacle or crate formed with asingle thickness unit bottom, having sides and ends of the same materialhinged thereto along the edges thereof.

A still further object is the provision of a spacer for use in thecontainer between tiers of individual baskets of berries, or the like,said spacer being provided with openings for ventilation and with raisedportions or elevators adapted to rest on the top edge of the lower tierof individual baskets of berries, or the like.

A still further object is to provide a fiber container or crate which issimple in construction, light in weight, economical of storage space,strong, durable, cheap, and easily constructed.

Further objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out inthe claims, the annexed drawing and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out theinvention, such disclosed means illustrating,

however, but several of-various ways in which the principle of theinvention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Figure 1 is an isometric assembly view of one form of the containerembodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the container shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the container shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end view fied construction. a

Figure 5 is a rear side view of a modified form of the container shownin Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows the blank used in forming the container shown in Figure1, the clips for fastening the cover being omitted.

Figure '7 is a View of one form of spacer usable between tiers in thereceptacle. f

Figure 8 shows a modified form of spacer.

Figure 9 shows a clip with tongue member for use in fastening the coverin closed position.

Figure 10 shows an anchoring clip member adaptedto cooperate with thetongue of the clip member shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a section through the upper edge of the receptacle ofFigure 1 showing in diagrammatic manner the interlocking 01. the clip ofa container ofmodishown in Figures 9 and 10. I

Figure 12 is a central section through one form of the present inventionwith the spacer fastened along one edge to the container body.

While the invention is described herein as being specifically applicableto a container or crate for the handling of fruits, vegetables, andberries wherein such container is of standard size and formed fromsuitable paper or fiber stock, it is not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention to such specific article, since some of the features areobviously more generally applicable to other types of containers adaptedfor various classes of service.

As illustrated in Figure 6, the improved container or crate may beformed from a single blank I of corrugated board, fiber board; or thelike, this blank I comprising a bottom member 2, side members 3, endmembers 4, side and end member connecting flaps 5, top end flaps 6,topside flap 1, and top cover fiap 8.

The bottom member 2 is preferably provided with a series ofsymmetrically located openings 9 for ventilation purposes. The top coverflap 8 is likewise preferably provided with symmetrically locatedopenings l0 soplaced that when a series of these containers are pileddirectly one above the other, the' openingslfl on the top of onecontainer will coincide with the openings 9 on the bottom of the nextadjacent higher container. Side members 3 are also preferably providedwith symmetrically located openings l I for crossventilation. Endmembers 4 are each likewise preferably provided with a symmetricallylocated opening [2 as a further aid to the ventilation of the containercontents. When perishables, such as berries, are placed in a closedcontainer, they quickly mildew and spoil. This makes the ordinary paperbox unsuitable for handling this type of product. Theuse of sym-.metrically located openings in all panels ofthe container, as specifiedherein, not only permits I ventilation of the contents of a singlecontainer,

but permits the stacking of containers without blocking off theventilation, since the symmetric openings will permit air to flow fromcontainer to container in the stack,

Thecontainer blank I, shown in Figure 6, has the points of folding orhing-ing shown in dotted lines. One of themany convenient ways that thecarton or crate may be assembled consists of turning side members 3upward about the hinge lines with the bottom so that they stand at a 90degree angle therewith. Flaps 5 are then turned in so that they form a90 degree angle with said side members 3. End members 4 are then foldedup against fiaps 5 and fastened thereto in conventional manner, forinstance, by means of staples Hi. The carton thus formed, in general,takes on the outline appearance shown in Figures 3 and 5. In thiscondition, the baskets M containing berries, or the like, may be placedin tiers in the carton, with a. spacer between tiers, whereupon flaps 6and I are turned inand top cover flap 8 folded down and fastened inconventional manner to complete the closing operation. I

The construction of the container or crate from a blank, such as shownin Figure 6, results in a product having a single thickness unit bottom.This has the distinct advantage of not only eliminating the expenditureof labor and material in folding and gluing the bottom, but alsoovercomes the disadvantage of having the glue on folded and glued flapsloosen in the presence of moisture in manner permitting the contents ofthe container to fall out of same when lifted for re-location. Tofurther minimize the effect of moisture on the container, it ispreferable to moisture-proof the stock used in forming same. This may bedone by spraying the container or blank with a paraflin solution orother waterresisting or repellent material. A convenient way toaccomplish this end is to form the container blank from a fiber orcorrugated sheet which has been given a moisture-resisting treatment inthe course of production. One such sheet which has been found suitablefor this purpose consists of a double-faced corrugated board whereinboth faces have been treated to resist moisture.

Where the container or crate is formed from double-faced corrugatedfiber board with side and end member joining flaps 5 as a unit part ofthe side members, it is preferable to have the corrugations runvertically of the side members in the finished product. This not onlyproduces a rigid unit ,bottom with cross corrugations, but very stiffside walls with reinforced corners, which results in relatively highstacking capability.

Berries, such as strawberries, blackberries, dewberries, andraspberries, in general, do not shake out of the quart baskets, 01' thelike, in crates under normal transportation conditions. Huckleberries,and blueberries, on the other hand, do tend to jar over the edges of thebaskets in the crates. In order to prevent loss due to such berriesjarring out of the individual baskets, the container or crate may havethe ventilation openings in the bottom, sides, and ends thereof modifiedto prevent the berries from escaping from the crate. This may beaccomplished by covering the openings with screen or gauze, but insimplest construction, these ventilation areas, instead of beingcompletely out out, will be in the form of perforated areas permittingfree access of air through small holes. Side openings Ila and endopenings I20. (Figures 5 and 4) diagrammatically represent any of theseforms wherein ventilation is attained without the loss of berriesthrough the openings.

The container or crate shown in Figure 4 has a modified coverconstruction. The top side flap la. is provided on its free edge with anelevator fold l5 which may be stapled or otherwise fastened in place.This top side flap 1a is preferably of such a size that when it isfolded in, the center of fold [5 will rest on the center row of edges ofbaskets in the crate. This type of construction causes top side flap 'laand top .cover flap 8a to be slightly elevated above the berries in thebaskets and hence decreases the berrycrushing tendency, so far as fullbaskets are concerned.

It is normally desirable, andin some cases necessary, to have the top ofthe container or crate openable for purposes 'of inspection. This may beaccomplished in several ways. For instance, as is shown in Figure 4, thecrate may be provided with a tying cord I6, the ends of which areadapted to be tied together over the folded cover members and thuspermit ready closure or access to the goods. A simplified fasteningmember for the container cover consists of tongued clip I! and anchoringclip I 8 (Figures 9 and 10). The tongued clip I! and anchoring clip l8may be fastened to the container or crate in any suitable manner, butone of the most convenient ways of doing so is to provide these clipswith piercing and clinching projections l9. These projections to rest onthe edges of the baskets.

I9 in use would be bent along the dotted lines at right-angles to thebacks' of the clips. They are then in position to be forcedthrough theside member and cover flap of the container and clinc'hedon the insidethereof, as is diagrammatically shown in Figure 11.. In use-the tongue20 of clip I! is passed through opening 2| in anchoring clip [8 and thenbent back to hold the cover in place. These clips may be made of variousmaterials, for instance, from'relatively thin bronze, copper, orzinc-aluminum alloy. The particular metal used and its thickness,however, should be such that the tongue 20 can be bent and re-bentwithout breaking, and yet have sufficient strength and rigidity tofacilitate the installation of the clips and make them hold when onceinstalled. While in Figure 11 the clips have been shown with the tonguedclip I! fastened to the top cover flap 8 and anchoring clip I8 fastenedto side member 3, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to this particular type of assemblage, since the clips may bereversed, may be entirely on the top of the container r crate, orotherwise, as desired, so long as they act as closure fasteners.

Where several tiers of baskets containing berries, or the-like, are tobe placed in a container or crate, it is desirable to provide a spacer22 (Figure 7) to be placed between the tiers. In order to facilitatecirculation of air through the container and at the same time elevatethe spacer slightly above the top edge of the baskets in the crate, itis desirable to provide the spacer 22 with elevator pieces 23 whichshould be so located that they will rest on the upper edges of thebaskets in the lower tier in the crate. One of the many convenient waysof fastening these elevator pieces 23 to spaoer 22 is by means ofstaples 24. To conserve material, the puiichings obtained in perforatingblank I may be used as elevator pieces 23. In order to facilitate theventilation of the contents of the crate, spacer 22 is preferablyprovided with perforations 25 which, if desired, may be symmetrical withthe holes in the top of the crate. Where the spacer 22 is formed fromdouble-faced corrugated board, the corrugations may run in anydirection. However, when spacer 22 is assembled as shown in Figure 7, itis preferable to have the corrugations run lengthwise, since this willstiffen same against sagging under load.

A modified form of spacer 22a is shown in Figure 8. This spacer has itsend edges turned to form elevators 230. which are fastened in place inconventional manner such as by means of staples 24a. The center row ofelevators are formed by cutting U-shaped slits to form a tongue 26 whichis forced through, turned back, and fastened in place, for instance, bymeans of staples 21 to form a center row of elevators on the same sideas the end elevators 23a and adapted The spacer 22a is also preferablyprovided with suitable ventilation perforations 25a. The spacer may befastoned to the blank I in manner such that when the crate is folded andstapled to shape, the spacer will be in position ready for use. This isdiagrammatically shown in Figure 12 where the spacer 22b is providedwith a flap 26 fastened by means of staples or the equivalent to sidemember 3 at desired elevation. If desired, however, the spacer may beloose and adapted to be dropped into the crate, with elevator face down,after the first tier of baskets have been placed therein.

Other. modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of those explained, change being made as regards thearticleherein' disclosed, provided the means stated by any'of thefollowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a fruit and berry crate of the character described, thecombination which consists of a single thickness unit bottom panel, sideand end panels contiguous with and hingedly joinedto said bottom panel,a flap on'each side edge of each side panel, staple means for rigidlyanchoring the end panels to said side panel flaps to form a container,short top flaps on the two end panels and on one side panel, a long topflap contiguous with and hinged to the upper edge of the other sidepanel, at least two tongued clips at and extending over the free edge ofthe top flap opposite the hinge, two anchor clips fastened to the sidepanel carrying the short flap, said clips being located at points onsaid side panel where they are engageable with the tongued clips on thetop flap when same is folded to closed position, symmetrically andidentically located ventilating passageways in the top and bottompanels, symmetrically and identically located ventilating passageways inthe side panels, a symmetrically and identically located ventilatingpassageway in each of the end panels, a spacer member within saidcontainer and adapted for placing between horizontal tiers of goods tobe handled thereby, said spacer having ventilating passagewayssymmetriclly arranged and identically located with those of the top andbottom panels of the container, said spacer further having narrowelevators on the underface thereof, and means for supporting said spacermember at desired elevation.

2. In a fruit and berry crate of the character described, thecombination which consists of a single thickness unit bottom panel, sideand end panels contiguous with and hingedly joined to said bottom panel,a flap on each side edge of each side panel, staple means for rigidlyanchoring the end panels to said side panel flaps to form a container,short top flaps on the two end panels and on one side panel, a long topflap contiguous with and hinged to the upper edge of the other sidepanel, at leasttwo tongued clips at and extending over the free edge ofthe top flap opposite the hinge, two anchor clips fastened to the sidepanel carrying the short flap, each of said anchor clips having anopening therethrough for the tongue of the tongued clips and beinglocated at points on said side panel where they are engageable with thetongued clips on the top flap for anchoring same when it is folded toclosed position, symmetrically and identically located ventilatingpassageways in the top and bottom panels, symmetrically and identicallylocated ventilating passageways in the side panels, a symmetrically andidentically located ventilating passageway in each of the end panels, aspacer member within said container and adapted for placing betweenhorizontal tiers of goods to be handled thereby, said spacer havingventilating passageways symmetrically arranged and identically locatedwith those of the top and bottom panels of the container, said spacerfurther having narrow elevators on the under face thereof, means forfastening said spacer to said crate and supporting same at desiredelevation, and means for waterproofing said crate.

3. In a single unit covered container of the character described formedfrom corrugated b0ard,.the combination of a single thickness unitbottom, side and end panels joined to the respective edges of saidbottom, flaps on the side edges of said side panels for joining same tothe end panels, means for anchoring each of said flaps on the side edgesof the side panels to the end panel adjacent and parallel thereto toform the body of the container, a pair of top cover flaps, the underflap of the pair being narrower than the upper flap, an elevator on theunder face of the free edge of said under flap, the corrugations of saidcorrugated board running across the top and bottom panels and up theside panels and corner flaps of the container to make the top, bottom,and sides relatively stiff and at the same time produce reinforcedcorners, metal clips for anchoring said top flaps in place, said clipsbeing in male and female pairs with the end of the male clip bendable toaccomplish said anchoring after passing through the opening in thefemale clip, and symmetrical ventilation passageways for said container.

CHARLES F. RICHARD.

